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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will temporarily delay the start of its Kuhio Beach Replenishment Project until south swells and Kona winds forecast for the rest of this week have abated. "Because of the potential for wind-driven waves from up to 20-plus knot Kona winds, on top of south swells this weekend, we have decided to wait a bit longer for improved conditions,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. “We’re being safe – we don’t want to do anything during adverse conditions that could jeopardize equipment and further delay operations.” “We are ready to go and anticipating calmer condition, hopefully at the beginning of next week. After consultation with our contractor, American Marine Corporation, they will withdraw their sand pumping barge for now, and return when this weather passes,” he said. On-site preparation began yesterday with closing off part of Kuhio beach for a staging area, and positioning of the barge in water offshore Waikiki. During this process the chain for the barge’s anchor broke, and the barge was returned to its home dock to replace the chain. The barge will return once conditions have improved. Two anchored buoys will remain in place, one in the sand pumping area and one further offshore to which the barge will be anchored. DLNR will request a notice to mariners be issued on the locations of these buoys. Meanwhile, work will continue this week onshore within the staging area. American Marine will be preparing a sand retention basin to receive the pumped sand and seawater mixture. If another swell should arise once sand pumping is underway, the contingency plan is to re-anchor the pipeline and pull the barge offshore to wait it out. DLNR designed the beach nourishment project to maximize the efficiency of a 20 to 30 work day window required to complete the project. The project is intended to stabilize and increase the size of Kuhio Beach, improve water quality and public safety, and demonstrate state-of-the-art offshore sand pumping technologies for future beach restoration efforts. # # #
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